Last week Franchise Direct’s South African director Brian Rogan formed part of a trade mission of 37 Irish companies to South Africa in November 2012.
With an international address book of 1,000 of the world’s biggest brands including Subway, McDonalds, Mac Tools, Kumon and Jan-Pro, Franchise Direct are aiming to drive international expansion into the growing South African market from more mature markets.
The trade mission was organised by Irish trade and technology agency, Enterprise Ireland in close cooperation with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland in Johannesburg.
The Trade Mission was aimed at driving further expansion of Irish companies’ exports to this market and building on the strong growth achieved last year. Enterprise Ireland client companies increased their sales in South Africa by 29% to over €100m in 2011, and a similar level of growth is expected in 2012.
“Trade Missions to key growth markets such as South Africa, which is identified as a priority market under the Government’s Trade Strategy, are of critical importance in building on existing links and opening new doors for increased exports and collaborative business ventures. They are our way of making sure that Irish companies are supported in every way to grow, increase their exports and, open new markets. Growth in trade and investment resulting from Trade Missions supports jobs in Ireland and is an important part of the Government’s Trade Strategy and Action Plan for Jobs,” said The Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D. who accompanied Franchise Direct last week.
Representatives from the international network of franchise and business opportunities met with leaders of the South African franchise industry last week, including the Franchise Association of South Africa and leading consultant Franchize Directions.
“We hope to build a lasting relationship with both the FASA and Franchize Directions. There’s such broad opportunities for Irish brands to expand into South Africa, and Franchise Direct will work with Franchize Directions to encourage this,” said South African director Brian Rogan.
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